CONFIDENTIAL
FAR EAST PRISONERS OF WAR (POWS) : ESSENTIAL FACTS
1.
The question of assistance available to ex-Far East Prisoners of War has received a sustained level of public
attention in Hong Kong in the past and continues to surface from
time to time. The Secretary for Social Services, Mr Eric Ho,
last answered questions on this subject in the Legislative Council on 28 July.
2.
The assistance given at present includes a disability scheme, along the lines of the UK service disability awards, a
free medical treatment scheme at Government clinics and
hospitals available to ex-POWs and other war victims, and
assistance from the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund to all former
POWS who served in Hong Kong in the relevant units. There are
also grants and allowances for those over 60 where there is
special need.
3.
The present system is criticised by a small but vocal
groupd of ex Far East POWS, not all of whom were captured in Hong Kong, who have considerable media support. They argue that there should be a general pension scheme for all ex-POWs as of right. This followed the decision by Canada in 1977 to provide disability pensions for all their ex-POWs of the Japanese, almost all of whom were captured in Hong Kong. Such a scheme would not be practicable for the Hong Kong Government, as it would be invidious to distinguish POWS so clearly from the remainder of the civilian population in Hong Kong during the war, who also suffered considerable hardships, and who are not
at present covered by the pension scheme. A guaranteed pension for all who suffered in the war would be an impossibly large obligation for the Hong Kong Government.
CONFIDENTIAL
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